kicff news
2025 KICFF Fall of Faith
Submissions are coming in from across the globe, including Japan, Mexico, and beyond, for our fall festival which began on August 1 and runs through November 30. A selection of awardeees will be announced on Club 36 WBPI TV49 on December 11, 2025. Awardees will also have the possibility of having thier project shown on our KICFF Presents… TV show, and/or a live showing at the 2026 RiseUP Con at the Music Road Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN from April 10-11.
KICFF Presents...
KICFF Presents… is set to begin airing weekly 30-minute TV episodes on Watchmen Broadcasting in Augusta, GA starting September 6, 2025. We will be featuring works of awardees from our first two award showcases. KICFF Founding Director Rob Ekno delivered all 23 initial episodes to WBPI TV49 Studios in Augusta, GA. Exciting times are happening at the KICFF! Visit our next page "TV SHOW” for a list of shows.
KICFF at riseup con 2026
The Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains
2026 RiseUP Con will be held in the same inspiring location as this year’s event, smack dab in the middle of East Tennessee’s entertainment district in Pigeon Forge. The area sits between Sevierville and Gatlinburg, and is filled with a wealth of family friendly entainment. Make it a weekend or week of fun in the Great Smokies! Submit your creative Christian project below.
Time to RISEUP
We are excited to announce another KICFF award showcase with the wonderful folks at RiseUP Con. As was the case at the June 2025 showcase, KICFF is invited an guest. All questions about RiseUp Con, including vendors, celebrities, workshops, and all other weekend events, should be directed to RiseUP Con at the tab below. KICFF looks forward to seeing you on the Red Carpet and in the viewing rooms to see award-winning projects from filmmakers across the globe.
THANK YOU FOR A FABULOUS 2025 Spring KICFF
THE BELIEVER
Thank YOU, Adam Phelps of RiseUP Con, for believing in the mission of the 2025 Spring KICFF to showcase the works of creative Christians honoring God in “The Spirit of Excellence & Service.” We truly appreciate you blessing us with more than seven hours to present projects from filmmakers across America and Canada at the Music Road Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. The feedback we’ve received has been incredibly inspiring. You and your team were extremly welcoming and helpful in assisting us to make it a great first-time at RiseUP Con. We hope to team up again soon!
THE TEAM
Thank YOU, Ladies of the 2025 Spring KICFF. You were each so giving of your time and talents in helping to make this a spectacular and memorable event for filmmakers of all levels.
Ava Hawk (L) spent countless hours creating social media marketing materials, award-show graphics, and award certificates. Plus, she blessed us by performing our National Anthem and opening prayer at RiseUP Con, along with hosting Red Carpet interviews. Monique Cramer (C) was brilliant and insightful in her work judging many of the submissions. She also was a very valuable consultant and worked tirelessly to capture countless pictures from the Red Carpet and screenings at RiseUP Con. Randa Blackley (R) helped Rob Ekno form the initial foundation of the KICFF with her tireless work and dedicated service to God by creating our original marketing materials and award-certificates, along with being a very valuable consultant and Red Carpet Host. God blessed the 2024 & 2025 KICFF’s with three of His most loyal servants.
2025 SPRING KICFF BLESSINGS
John Schlitt
Nikita Koloff
John Schlitt
John is best known for being the lead singer of the Christian rock band PETRA. He has one of the kindest and most humble hearts. You can easily see the appreciation he has for the blessings and talent that God has provided him. John asked how he could help Rob Ekno with the KICFF and told Rob to expect a call from his assistant. Thank you, John !
Josh Emerson
Nikita Koloff
John Schlitt
Josh is not only powerful in stature, but in his walk with God. Like many actors in Hollywood are now doing, Josh is sacrificing the bigger paychecks for his dedication to fulfilling his soul with meaningful projects in the faith-based genra. He has a very welcoming personality and blessed the 2025 Spring KICFF with his time and enlightening conversations.
Kevin Sorbo
Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff
KICFF Founding Director Rob Ekno was blessed to first work with Kevin Sorbo on a movie in Hollywood years ago, before each left for greener pastures. As Kevin & Adam Phelps began RiseUP Con in 2024, Rob had simultaneously followed God’s lead and began the KICFF. This year, the two groups teamed up for an extremely blessed RiseUP Con.
Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff
Former professional wrestling champion turned Man of God, Nikita has a vibrant and straightforward personality when he talks about his relationship with the Lord. Nikita and his former wrestling buddy, Lex Luger, run a powerful Man Camp twice a year, to help small groups of men become better husbands, fathers, and men in the community.
A VERY SPECIAL RISEUP CON BLESSING
Monique & Jody
Jo-Ann “Jody” Wilhelm
Jo-Ann Wilhelm did extensive research and discovered that in 2024 when she wrote and directed “Letters To Stephanie” at 84-years old, that she was the oldest first-time woman, feature film director, EVER! Now 85, we were honored to present Jo-Ann with the Silver Medal for Feature Film and bring her on stage at RiseUP Con to recognize her
Jo-Ann Wilhelm did extensive research and discovered that in 2024 when she wrote and directed “Letters To Stephanie” at 84-years old, that she was the oldest first-time woman, feature film director, EVER! Now 85, we were honored to present Jo-Ann with the Silver Medal for Feature Film and bring her on stage at RiseUP Con to recognize her for such an amazing accomplishment. She was beyond grateful for the award and blessed the KICFF with her inspiring and loving personality. Thank YOU, Jo-Ann, for showing us that it truly is NEVER too late to go after our dreams.
Jody & Ava
Jody & Ava
KICCF AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS ON CLUB 36
WATCH THE REPLAY
If you missed any of the energetic and entertaining 2025 Spring KICFF Live From RiseUP Award Announcement Show live on WBPI TV Club 36 on June 13, click the button below to watch the two hour show. Special thanks to the Watchmen Broadcasting WBPI TV Club 36 team: Dorothy, Russell, Tamra, Chris, Jennifer, Adam, Brantley, Kyle, Angela, & Linda for a tremendously God-filled show. The KICFF sends you our utmost appreciation.
Dorothy Spaulding Club 36
members of the WBPI production team
Director Adam Kiss
THANK YOU
Special thanks to each of the wonderful folks who helped make our 2025 Spring KICFF Award Announcement Show a tremendous success, including Producer Jennifer, who guided us through the maze. And thank YOU, God, for continuing to open avenues for us to showcase the works of creative Christians honoring YOU in “The Spirit of Service & Excellence."
Sound Engineer Brantley
Sound Engineer Brantley
Technical Director - Savannah
Mr. Camera - Kyle
